Old receives Community Cornerstone Award

Dr. Jerry Old is CornerBank’s Community Cornerstone Award recipient for November. In recognition of his service, CornerBank will contribute $100 to the non-profit organization of Old’s choice. He has selected the Salvation Army to receive the contribution. A reception honoring Old’s service will be at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 15, in the CornerBank community room, 125 N. Summit. The public is invited to attend the reception.

Last year, Old organized “Party with a Purpose,” a Christmas gathering to buy and wrap gifts for the needy, which was coordinated through the Salvation Army. He speaks to many organizations as a motivational speaker and is active in Toastmasters. He serves as chairman of the board for Central Christian Church and is a member of the New Horizon Sunday school class, which he occasionally teaches.

Old has served on the Kansas Health Ethics Board and the advisory board for Continuing Medical Education in Kansas. He has been a grant reviewer for the U.S. Department of Health and is currently a reviewer for the “Annals of Family Medicine” medical journal.

Old has devoted his career to patient care and healthcare education, from training medical students and residents, to providing continuing education for healthcare professionals. He currently serves as Chief Medical Officer for Hospice Care for Kansas, as well as Associate Professor and Geriatric Clerkship Director at the University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita (UKSM-W). He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice and is certified by the American Association of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Through Hospice Care of Kansas community education conferences, he helps area hospital and long-term care facility staff better serve their patients and residents. He fosters a comfort level among the general public by removing the healthcare mystique and empowering people to become familiar with their rights and informed about choices and options.

Graduating in 1974 from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Old began his medical practice in Arkansas City in 1977 when he and Dr. David Ross bought the Ark City Clinic. They immediately built a new medical office at the present location on Radio Lane and began recruiting other new physicians to Ark City. During 25 years of family practice, he delivered approximately 2,000 babies. As his practice aged, he realized the delight in caring for older adults and his interests have gone in the direction of geriatrics and end-of-life issues.

In 2002, Old joined the Family Medicine faculty at his alma mater, the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City. His textbook, Practical Guide to Palliative Care, published in 2007, is used by physicians and medical schools nationwide. In addition, Vintage People, his book about successful aging, is in its third printing. He teaches a course in geriatrics to third-year medical students at UKSM-W. Medical students at the KU School of Medicine in Kansas City recognized Old with the Student Voice award in 2004 and 2005, Most Supportive Faculty Member in 2004 and the Nason Family Award for Excellence in Family Medicine Education in 2004. Students at UKSM-W selected Old for the Gold Humanism Honor Society and the National Academic Honor Society, both in 2010.

Old has written numerous articles, spoken to groups throughout the county and received many additional awards, including the City of Arkansas City Outstanding Citizen Award for serving as chair of the human relations council and the Leadership Ark City award. He and his wife, Kristi, returned to Ark City two years ago, where he has been active in supporting the new hospital. They have three children between them: Aaron Old and wife, Kristin, and grandson, Riley, of St. Joseph, Missouri; Allison Clark of Australia; and Susan Tucker and husband, Ben, of Bella Vista, Arkansas.

Old was selected for the award by the Community Cornerstone Award selection committee, which includes Arleta Rice, Judy Reedy, Karl Faidley, Curt Freeland and Brenda Combs. All are previous recipients of the Cornerstone Award. Volunteers are the cornerstones of healthy communities. They’re on your corner – the people next door. They’re in your corner – helping make our community stronger. The Community Cornerstone Award recognizes the time and effort of volunteers dedicated to serving people and enhancing the quality of life in Cowley County. If you know of a Cowley County resident who has shown servant leadership in community service, contact Joyce McArtor at 442-6500 or joycem@cornerbank.com for nomination guidelines.